Half Give Up One Month Later

CHICAGO — At the beginning of each year, 50.5 percent of resolution-makers pledge to get in shape in the new year. By Valentine's Day, 49 percent of those people have given up on their fitness resolution, according to a nationwide survey by Bally Total Fitness, Chicago. Perhaps more disconcerting for the fitness industry is that one-third of all respondents would rather stay at work an extra hour than go to the gym.

The survey also found that losing weight remains the most popular resolution with 50.5 percent of respondents hoping to trim their waistlines in 2007. Thirty percent of respondents eat three to five chocolates on Valentine's Day, which can contain as many as 55 grams of fat (the equivalent of eating two fast food hamburgers). More than 37 percent of resolution makers make the same resolution every year.

“People make New Year's resolutions with the best intentions but can become discouraged when they realize that fitness can be hard work,” says Nikki Kimbrough, national spokesperson for Bally.

The national survey of 1,100 people was conducted online in February 2007, according to Bally.